Douglas MacQueen's blog

All Under One Banner (AUOB) have successfully organised a series of marches and rallies across Scotland in favour of independence. For years there has been an attempt to ignore, under report and constantly play down attendees at these marches. Now Police Scotland and the local council are getting decidedly nervous about the AUOB march in Glasgow on May 4th. The marches have always been good humoured and peaceful, but now police say they might not be able to handle the numbers expected to attend. 

On this day in 1746: The Battle of Culloden took place. Prince Charles Edward Stuart, (31 December 1720 – 31 January 1788) The Young Pretender, affectionately known as Bonnie Prince Charlie was the grandson of James II of Scotland and had led the second Jacobite Uprising of 1745 to overthrow the British King George II. The Jacobite cause was supported by many Highland clans. Prince Charlie and his forces were defeated at the Battle of Culloden (Scottish Gaelic: Blàr Chùil Lodair).

Scotland, as with other Celtic nations, has many prehistoric remains. Many will be familiar with the ancient Neolithic stone monuments, such as the Callanish Stones, on Lewis (Scottish Gaelic: Leodhas), which are thought to date from 4000 to 2600BC. Now a new illustrated booklet has been published with aim of exploring the archaeology of Scotland's lost timber halls and timber circles.  It has been created by Forestry and Land Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Coilltearachd agus Fearann Alba) and Archaeology Scotland.

Loch Ness (Scottish Gaelic: Loch Nis) is a freshwater loch in the Scottish Highlands (A' Ghàidhealtachd). It is, of course, famous throughout the world for being home to the mysterious, elusive, large aquatic animal known as the Loch Ness Monster affectionately known by the nickname Nessie (Niseag). There is no doubt that Nessie brings many visitors to the loch. However, there is much more to Loch Ness than the monster. It is a place of great beauty and has been described as a photographers paradise surrounded as it is by spectacular scenery.

A Scottish psychological thriller The Vanishing will open in cinemas around Scotland and other Celtic countries at the end of March, having already been released in the United States. Filmed in the south-west of Scotland and Firth of Clyde, the film was directed by Kristoffer Nyholm and written by Celyn Jones and Joe Bone. It stars Scottish actors Gerard Butler and Peter Mullan along with Connor Ryan Swindells. It is set in the Flannan Isles (Scottish Gaelic: Na h-Eileanan Flannach).

Made by a MacIntyre piper more than 800 years ago the 'Faery' bagpipes of Kinlochmoidart, are thought to be the oldest Highland pipes. The legend is that the MacIntyre piper had a dream where a “faery” (fairy) came to him and said: “Heat up your poker until it’s white hot and pierce the bottom of your chanter side to side and it will make the sweetest sounding pipes in Scotland.” The chanter is the part of the bagpipe upon which the player creates the melody. The 'Faery' bagpipes are said to be the first with two holes. 

The West Highland Museum has added to its already renowned collection relating to Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite cause. A collection of rare Jacobite relics has been given on long term loan to the Museum by a Scottish distiller. The Drambuie Collection was accumulated by the McKinnon family, who owned Drambuie for 100 years. Drambuie is a liqueur made from Scotch whisky, honey, herbs and spices. The link with Prince Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) came after the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

The images of the fires burning on Arthur's Seat in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh (Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Èideann) give the strange illusion that this now extinct volcano has erupted again. In fact it is a large gorse fire. Gorse is a spiny evergreen shrub with yellow flowers that is common in many parts of Scotland. Dozens of firefighters have been battling through Tuesday night and Wednesday morning to bring the large gorse fire on Arthur's Seat under control.

Just days ago people gathered at Glencoe to commemorate the anniversary of the Massacre of Glencoe. Many of those attending might have been unaware of the battle now taking place between local people and those planning to build a hydroelectric power plant next to the site of the 17th century Highland massacre. Plans are still under consideration by the Highlands Council for the hydro scheme, which include a turbine house, intake, buried pipelines, outfall, and access tracks.

The site of the burial of Highland clan chief Ewen Cameron of Lochiel (February 1629 – February 1719) has been discovered after 300 years. He was a staunch supporter of the Jacobite rebellions and died aged 90 in 1719. He was famed for his strength, ferocity and bravery in combat, which led to him being called the Ulysses of the Highlands. His noted combats included the Battle of Killiecrankie (Scottish Gaelic: Blàr Choille Chnagaidh)  which took place on 27 July 1689 during the First Jacobite Rising when a combined Jacobite force of Scots and Irish secured victory.